Stray Dogs

Andrew Rosindell
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent assessment he has made of the effect on animal welfare of the transfer of responsibility for stray dogs from local police forces to local authorities; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what recent assessment he has made of the effect on animal welfare of the transfer of responsibility for stray dogs from local police forces to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick
In April 2008 responsibility for dealing with stray dogs was removed from the police who had shared this role with local authorities. Sole responsibility now rests with local authorities, who already have arrangements in place to collect and house strays. An additional £4 million per year has been provided to local authorities to cover this additional responsibility.

No assessment has been made of the effects of this change in responsibility on animal welfare.